Copa Del Rey, Fourth Round: Real Madrid win away; Rayo the only upset victim

Málaga was cruising. As they should have been. They’d taken a two-goal lead away to a much worse Cacereño side; plus, they’re one of the most exciting sides in this young Liga. They should have been fine. But suddenly, everything began to change. Their defense suddenly looked shaky--against a Segunda B side. They were losing balls in the midfield.

And then it happened: Cacereño scored. 1-2. The crowd was going nuts--it was a great shot from Jaraiz in the 37th minute. And then it happened again. Suddenly it was 2-2 and Málaga was sweating: they were actually playing a game, a real live soccer game away from home against a team that was fired up.

At halftime, Jese replaced fellow Castilla star Alex. The Segunda’s leading scorer took just 21 minutes to score his first goal for Madrid’s senior team with an impressive curled finish that put the match away. Grande Javi Lara pulled one back for Alcoyano, but Karim Benzema restored Madrid’s three-goal lead late.

Up against minnows Llagostera, who won promotion to the third tier of Spanish football for the first time in their history last season, Valencia surprisingly fielded an extremely strong team. Youngster Jose Gaya got a run-out, but the rest of Los Che’s team had extensive professional experience. They’re in good position to advance in Copa Del Rey as a result after they pulled out a 2-0 road win on Tuesday.

With two road goals to their name, Los Che have the luxury of playing less first team players for the return leg a month from now.

Barcelona play on Tuesday, and are likely to rest all of their first choice players for a match away to third tier side Alaves. They were in La Liga as recently as 2006, but lasted just one season in the top flight and three seasons in the Segunda before heading down to the Segunda Division B in 2009.

Jose Mourinho’s side are in a similar situation, against Alcoyano, who were relegated from the Segunda last season. Real Madrid Castilla, like Barcelona B, are a mid-table Segunda team, meaning that the Madrid reserves will be favored to progress in Copa Del Rey.